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. 1991 Apr 11;19(7):1521–1526. doi: 10.1093/nar/19.7.1521

Intercalation of ethidium bromide into a triple-stranded oligonucleotide.

J L Mergny 1, D Collier 1, M Rougée 1, T Montenay-Garestier 1, C Hélène 1
PMCID: PMC333910  PMID: 2027760

Abstract

We have examined the ability of a cationic planar chromophore, ethidium bromide, to intercalate into a short, defined triple helix. Using UV absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy and a gel retardation assay we demonstrate that ethidium bromide is able to bind to a triple helix with a lower affinity than to the corresponding duplex. Energy transfer from base triplets to ethidium shows that ethidium is intercalated into the triple helix. The spectroscopic characteristics of ethidium intercalated into a triplex are similar to those observed for intercalation into duplex DNA.

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Selected References

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